My Spelling Program

I decided to hook up with my friend Denise's Linky Party.  She always has lots of good stuff going on with her blog!!!


We use the program Words Their Way which is full of details and word cards that can be used with kids.  In 2nd grade, we mainly work on patterns inside of words, prefixes, and suffixes.  

With this program I have 4 different spelling groups that I test through multiple choice tests and just looking at their writing.  Sometimes we play Spelling Swamp to see who can hang on the longest and stay in the 'hut'.  

Last year we used Fountas and Pinnell's spelling and I had 24 different lists going in my room!!  I had partners and the kids would test themselves, but if I found a cheater amongst the group, I tested them and they had to move their behavior clip.

I am most excited about how we do spelling homework because the kids have several choices in deciding what they want to do.  Thursday nights are cool spelling night and the kids get to decide what kind of 'creation' that they want to keep.  This hear we've had all sorts of cakes and brownies with spelling words written on them, spelling shirts, mobiles, you name it.

I hope this helps explain a little of what I do with spelling.  I will do a much more detailed post soon!  Now, if you want to go read other blog posts about spelling, just click on the button below!

Word Sorts--Use them to teach spelling!

How are you going to address the Reading Foundations Standards RF K.3, 1.3, 2.3, 3.3, etc???  Here are my thoughts...

Let me start off by saying that I have always used picture sorts or word sorts to teach spelling patterns and sounds.  I am almost 18 years strong in that. 

However, I have never completely 'relied' on them as my total 'spelling' teaching tool.

At this point, if you aren't differentiating your spelling words for your students you are doing them a major disservice.  Strong words, I know, but I believe in my heart it is true.  And, believe you me, parents do NOT understand it.  Anyhoo....

Last year, we started differentiating our spelling lists using Word Matters by F/P.  They recommend that each student be introduced to a pattern or several word patterns at a time and choose the words they want on their spelling test.  I did it.  It worked.  But it was HARD.  That's not to say that it is not a good program....it is just better to use it with a small class of 16 or 17....not a class of 23+.

In the middle of the year last year, we were introduced to Words Their Way, a book I've had in my possession for a LONG time.  I think I got a 1st edition copy about 15 years ago during some training.  As a staff, some went the F/P way and some went with WTW.  My grade level did a combination of both.

This year though, as a staff we are going full scale Words Their Way and I have just completed my testing and grouped my students. I have 4 groups so far! There are several different levels of 'word understanding' that students can be in and the testing helps figure that out.  

Since Words Their Way depends so heavily on word sorts, I have been trying to think of a way to work that is easy for me and harder for my students.  Mean aren't I!!!  There are books with picture sorts that go with the program that I am thinking about ordering a few at a time, but I also thought I might just use this sheet that I made.

Here is how I plan to use them:

I hope this helps!